It’s hard to believe that Practicum is finally here! I was so nervous for my first day at my elementary host school that I showed up for 7:30 in the morning! This was despite having done a drive by of the school before hand and knowing my route ahead of time. I decided that I couldn’t go in that early, despite there being other cars in the staff parking lot that I could see. I parked across the street on the first day. I sat in my car and read a book until 8:00 a.m. I decided that was a good time for me to go in as 8:20 was my start time. I was given a huge warm welcome by the first teacher that I met.
Then when my Skill Development Teacher got there I was given another tour, and introduced to the two Education Assistants that the school has. I was then assigned to the EA that I would be shadowing for the day. It was great to finally be in a school and seeing how everything we had been learning in the classroom is done on a practical level.
I had the idea before going on my practicum that all EAs would be assigned to one student or maybe two. That is not how it works in my host school. One of the full time EAs is assigned as a one-to-one EA with a child, the other full time EA is all over the school. She spends 15 minutes with one child and 1/2 hour with another, her whole is like every day. It has been very interesting to see the different ways that an EA can be assigned depending on the needs of the child. My skill teachers have been amazing with anything that I have needed help with, or answering any questions.
I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to remember any of the things that I had learnt over the last 8 months. I was worried over nothing. Stenberg has prepared me so well that I have been able to do all of the tasks that I have been presented with that I am expected to do as an EA. The host school that I am at has been nothing but supportive and encouraging.
I look forward every day to going to my practicum and seeing what the days challenges will be. I have been working with a variety of children and grades. I range from kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 5. The school I am at also has a range of programs that they provide to work on social skills. This has been a great introduction to my practicum. I am excited to see how the rest of the practicum goes and to let you know what the rest of the first month is like. If it continues to go as fast as the first two weeks it willbe over before I know it.
Check out a video of our Education Assistant Diploma Program.
